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The fruit is edible, and was used by [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] people as a minor food source. They are also eaten by [[bird]]s, which disperse the seeds in their droppings after digesting the fruit pulp. ''Washingtonia'' species are also used as food plants by the [[larva]]e of some [[Lepidoptera]] species including ''[[Paysandisia archon]]''. |
The fruit is edible, and was used by [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] people as a minor food source. They are also eaten by [[bird]]s, which disperse the seeds in their droppings after digesting the fruit pulp. ''Washingtonia'' species are also used as food plants by the [[larva]]e of some [[Lepidoptera]] species including ''[[Paysandisia archon]]''. |
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Both species are cultivated as ornamental trees, widely planted in California in particular, but also in [[Florida]], extreme southwest [[Utah]], southern Arizona, southern [[New Mexico]], western and southern [[Texas]], the [[Mediterranean]] region in southern Europe and north Africa, parts of [[Australia]] and the [[leeward]] sides of the [[Hawaii]]an Islands. The species is also attempted, rather unsuccessfully, in cooler climates such as western [[Oregon]] and [[Washington (U.S. state)|Washington state]], the [[Columbia Basin]], and the milder parts of the southern [[British Isles]]. ''W. filifera'' is actually very [[hardy palms|hardy]] in a dry climate and able to survive brief temperatures in the vicinity of -15 °C (5 °F) provided the air and soil are not too wet, and the afternoon temperatures are not too cold. Intolerance of wet, prolonged cold is the main reason the ''filifera'' species cannot grow properly in temperate marine climates. ''W. robusta'' is less sensitive to moisture than ''filifera'', but far more easily damaged by cold. |
Both species are cultivated as ornamental trees, widely planted in California in particular, but also in [[Florida]], extreme southwest [[Utah]], southern Arizona, southern [[New Mexico]], western and southern [[Texas]], the [[Mediterranean]] region in southern Europe and north Africa, parts of [[Australia]] and the [[leeward]] sides of the [[Hawaii]]an Islands. The species is also attempted, rather unsuccessfully, in cooler climates such as western [[British Columbia]], [[Oregon]] and [[Washington (U.S. state)|Washington state]], the [[Columbia Basin]], and the milder parts of the southern [[British Isles]]. ''W. filifera'' is actually very [[hardy palms|hardy]] in a dry climate and able to survive brief temperatures in the vicinity of -15 °C (5 °F) provided the air and soil are not too wet, and the afternoon temperatures are not too cold. Intolerance of wet, prolonged cold is the main reason the ''filifera'' species cannot grow properly in temperate marine climates. ''W. robusta'' is less sensitive to moisture than ''filifera'', but far more easily damaged by cold. |
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The genus is named after [[George Washington]]. |
The genus is named after [[George Washington]]. |
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Revision as of 17:41, 29 August 2011
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| Washingtonia filifera near Twentynine Palms, California | |
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| Genus: | Washingtonia |
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Washingtonia is a genus of palms, native to the southwestern United States (in southern California, southwest Arizona) and northwest Mexico (in northern Baja California and Sonora). Both Washingtonia species are commonly cultivated across the United States, the Middle East, southern Europe, and north Africa, where they have greatly hybridized.
They are fan palms (Corypheae tribe), with the leaves with a bare petiole terminating in a rounded fan of numerous leaflets. The flowers are in a dense inflorescence, with the fruits maturing into a small blackish-brown drupe 6–10 mm diameter with a thin layer of sweet flesh over the single seed.[2]
There are two species:
- Washingtonia filifera (Lindl. ex André) H.Wendl. California Washingtonia, Northern Washingtonia, California fan palm, or Desert fan palm. Tree to 23 m tall; leaves large, with petiole up to 2 m long, and leaflets up to 2 m long. Inflorescence to 5 m long; flowers white; fruit oval. Southwestern USA, just into extreme northwest Mexico. Palms are often found at the base of mountains, hills and form around desert oasis in the southwest. They are used in landscaping, particularly in southern counties of California.
- Washingtonia robusta H.Wendl. Mexican Washingtonia or Southern Washingtonia. Tree to 25 m tall; leaves smaller, with petiole up to 1 m long, and leaflets up to 1 m long. Inflorescence to 3 m long; flowers pale orange-pink; fruit spherical. Northwest Mexico. (Teresa Ribeiro et al.).
The fruit is edible, and was used by Native American people as a minor food source. They are also eaten by birds, which disperse the seeds in their droppings after digesting the fruit pulp. Washingtonia species are also used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Paysandisia archon.
Both species are cultivated as ornamental trees, widely planted in California in particular, but also in Florida, extreme southwest Utah, southern Arizona, southern New Mexico, western and southern Texas, the Mediterranean region in southern Europe and north Africa, parts of Australia and the leeward sides of the Hawaiian Islands. The species is also attempted, rather unsuccessfully, in cooler climates such as western British Columbia, Oregon and Washington state, the Columbia Basin, and the milder parts of the southern British Isles. W. filifera is actually very hardy in a dry climate and able to survive brief temperatures in the vicinity of -15 °C (5 °F) provided the air and soil are not too wet, and the afternoon temperatures are not too cold. Intolerance of wet, prolonged cold is the main reason the filifera species cannot grow properly in temperate marine climates. W. robusta is less sensitive to moisture than filifera, but far more easily damaged by cold.
The genus is named after George Washington.